City Council

Mayor Council President Councilors T. Scott Harden Bruce Nissen John Miner Jairo Rios-Campos Lynnea Amend WOOD VILLAGE CITY COUNCIL MINUTES MAY 10, 2022 PRESENT Mayor T. Scott Harden, Council President Bruce Nissen, and Councilors John Miner and Jairo Rios- Campos, City Attorney Jeff Condit, City Manager Greg Dirks, Director of Finance Seth Reeser, Assistant to the City Manager Emeline Nguyen, and interested parties. ABSENT Director of Public Works John Niiyama Chief Hakala CITIZEN COMMENTS (NON-AGENDA ITEMS) Dirks relayed a walk-in comment from a resident requesting to have the signs in the park and at City Hall in Spanish. PRESENTATION: LEGISLATIVE UPDATE Representative Zach Hudson presented a legislative update on the 2022 short session and what’s planned for 2023. Also wanted input for the Council on things the state legislature should work on from a policy point of view. There was a lot of great work out of the 2022 short session. Made some very important investments. One of the priorities was economic recovery. We increased loans for startups and small businesses, invested in high-speed broadband, passed a bill regarding restitution to small businesses after burglaries, and made big investment in direct payments to low-waged workers during the pandemic. People experiencing houselessness is a major concern and the legislature acknowledged this with a $400 million investment statewide to help prevent houselessness. Part of this goes to Multnomah County to be used for local projects that help those living within our district. We also worked really hard to secure $2.9 million for capital construction to help a service provider called Cultivate Initiatives create a workforce navigation hub. We will continue to work with them. There is great potential to help people get back into employment and those already employed to advance in their career. The legislature also invested $150 million for summer learning, violence intervention and prevention, and climate resiliency. Looking forward to 2023 and are currently narrowing down the focus areas. One of those is in connection with Wood Village and our office has been working on measures to improve affordable housing including manufactured homes and mobile home parks. We will be working with Multnomah County and local cities to setup a community resiliency hub that will also operate as an emergency shelter for weather disasters, heat waves, natural disasters, and fire. Basically, anything that needs a central location where people can get immediate aid and that can be quickly set up for those who are experiencing displacement. City Council Minutes Month XX, 2022 | Page 1 Nissen appreciates the update and asked Representative Hudson to expand on the Cultivate Initiatives workforce hub. Representative Hudson stated they’re a great service provider that grew out of a grassroots effort of neighbors helping neighbors. They grew into a nonprofit and ended up being the one of the only nonprofits in the houselessness services sector which operates only in this area of East County. Unfortunately, their current base of operations has been condemned and they came to us for help finding another location to operate. Idea grew from there to also develop something new that could provide services not only to people experiencing homelessness, but also a longer-term effort of getting people employed or advancing employment. Dirks stated the specific work around manufactured homes and mobile homes is expanding the Co-op program through Casa of Oregon along with understanding the funding and logistical gaps to effect change at the state level to make the program more successful. Rios-Campos mentioned that mobile home parks are big in the area and asked if there is a way for the community to get involved to support this effort. Representative Hudson said he will let Council know. He is also talking to Representatives Fahey and Marsh about this issue to make sure any proposed legislation will also meet the needs of rural communities. The long-term goal is to increase housing availability. Rios-Campos asked for additional information on the small business loan program. Representative Hudson clarified that the state already been supplying loans to Business Oregon to help businesses. The legislature increased the amount and types of loans available to reach more businesses who want to start and expand. Rios-Campos asked if the money for summer learning is managed the same as last year. Representative Hudson said it is left up to the school districts. Essentially, it’s to help students who failed classes or have difficulty with online learning to earn back credit through in-person learning or those who have special education goals or learning loss they experienced and need one on one assistance. Rios-Campos asked if the violence prevention funds are in conjunction with the funds Gresham received. Representative Hudson said this is in addition as it’s a statewide initiative to reduce violence through mentorship and activities. Rios-Campos asked if different organizations can also apply for that type of funding. Representative Hudson responded he would work with Council to develop a plan if there was a specific idea and make a request for funds. Harden commented that the City was currently partnered with Cultivate Initiatives for Park maintenance and looking forward to the community resiliency hub and the volunteer opportunities that will be available. REVIEW OF BILLS PAID: APRIL 2022 A. Contracts: $2,500 – $50,000 City Council Minutes Month XX, 2022 | Page 2   Company: Multnomah County Transportation: FY22 Q3 Road Maintenance – $5,694.23  Northwest Irrigation Contractors: 238th Median ODOT Project – $4,840.00 CONSENT CALENDAR A. City Council Minutes  February 22, 2022 Upon motion by Nissen, seconded by Miner and passing 4-0, the Consent Calendar was approved. PROCLAMATION: PUBLIC WORKS WEEK Harden stated he’s very proud of the Public Works team and the excellent work they do to make the city looking good. He read the proclamation acknowledging May 17-22 as Public Works Week. CITY COUNCIL INTERVIEWS Harden discussed the new standardized interview process for appointing a City Councilor along with the requirement for this CITY COUNCIL INTERVIEW #1: MARK CLARK Clark introduced himself as a qualified candidate who had previously served on Council three times. He left the Council several years ago to support Grand Ronde Tribe and get the tribes securely and financially setup and secured 25 acres of land and established an office in California. Since got them educated, considered their elder of the Tribe. Stated that I’d come back to the COuncil and this position up. Miner-What in your background (personal/professional) draws you to want to serve the City as a CIty Councilor? My career started in Public Works for 10 years, owned a few businesses, and worked for a small/large city. moved to the Northwest and ended up in WOod Village and served on the Council for many years. Harden-What is your definition of leadership, and how would you show your leadership style on the Council? Leadership is to go out, or get involved in and learn everything possible, get information for the City employees, and do the research. As I walked at the park, I spoke to kids and they wanted a skatepark. Researched and look into skateparks and when we had a retreat and brought it up to Council to have a skatepark here at Wood Village and hopefully one day we can do it. We can agree to disagree and the past mayor is my way or the high way. The Council today really get along and bright leadership and want to be in the same boat. Nissen-What do you consider important factors in the group decision making process? To listen to what is being presented, ask questions, be completely open-minded, and especially listen ot the citizens and very important. It’s about what the citizen want. City Council Minutes Month XX, 2022 | Page 3 Jairo-What do you believe are the most important issues facing the community at this time? So many that our citizens are facing from wondering if we’re headed to war, is the economy going to last, gasoline gone up another 15 cents in the last few weeks, it’s tough and it’s getting tougher everyday. If we can do to help support people ot and from work. When we wrote letters to Trimet to have a stop at Walmart, hope to keep that stop there. We spoke to the executive director of Trimet to keep the location there because people use it. Why can’t we have a bus stops at 238th and push for public transportation for starters. Think Metro and act local. We spend over $1k for integratio policy and what didn’t transfer from the old city hall to hear and would like to see the goals on the wall. Miner-What else would you like to tell us about how and why you would serve the community? I love all our community events, and the Easter Egg Drive was such a blast to do and looking forward to the in-person. What we did at the drive-thru was heartwarming, and managing to do all the events and have its own department and aboslutely a pinnacle thing in my opionion. Especially during COVID, it’s difficult, but it was amazing to have all the events. Not sure if it was there before my time, but It’s absolutely marvelous. CITY COUNCIL INTERVIEW #2: CHARLES CROWDER I applied because I saw theposition open and on the commision for 10 years now and want to see what City Council would look like. Now in the point in my life, my business is good, and this is a good time for a trial run. Jairo-What in your background (personal/professional) draws you to want to serve the City as a CIty Councilor? Who am I and why am I here. I’m on Elm the purpose house for almost 20 years. I’ll be celebrating 44th birthday and proud to be a Wood Village resident. It’s a great community, seeing it grow, the neighbors, seen how it’s grown today. Everybody is very cool here. Have a print shop in Gresham for 4 years, and was a visual and merchandising for 2 years and was in charge of it. Designed for a lot of small businesses.Previous to that, did a lot of retail. Have 4 girls, 3 is out and 1 still home. Nissen-What is your definition of leadership, and how would you show your leadership style on the Council? I feel like I’m interviewing for a retail job. Being a really good parent. Someone you can come to and have an answer. In this position, leadership seems to be an odd term and am not sure if it defines the Council. I’m here to be a representative of the community. Harden-What do you consider important factors in the group decision making process? Probably listening is the key, separating fact from thought or opinion, discussing anddeliberating with others whether you’re on the same page or opposite and helps open and broadens the conversation, and compromising,. Miner-did you say compromnising. Charles-yes Miner-What do you believe are the most important issues facing the community at this time? That’s a tough question. I don’t see issues at the moment. I see a community that’s growing and the city has been doing a good job, I see engagement and communication higher like in languages, engagement is better and could still be expanded a long road to go but is a mniles difference in the last several years. Issues in the City itelf, is listening to what the resident needs and wants. City Council Minutes Month XX, 2022 | Page 4 Jairo-What else would you like to tell us about how and why you would serve the community? I’m here wanting to be the representative of the citizens and do more to engage with citizens more. CITY COUNCIL INTERVIEW #3: LYNNEA AMEND I had to honestly think about applying because it’s a commitment. I was interested because my family values in civial and social service. It’s not spoken in the family, but it’s engrained. Miner-What in your background (personal/professional) draws you to want to serve the City as a CIty Councilor? I mentioned my personal reasons why and been a lifelong citizen in Gresham, saw a house in Wood VIllage and it made sense and close to her family. It’s a good community and cared for. Being on the Parks Commission, entire career in social service, health care?, advocacy work. Throughout my career, have seen those in the worst and best part of the lives. Harden-What is your definition of leadership, and how would you show your leadership style on the Council? Someone who shows their values through action. If I strongly feel your values is throughactions and examples. If I’m not willing to do something, I wouldn’t expect it on someone else. Through my civic service work and acknowledgement of my status and bias that I can’t see in other people’s lives, not only ot myself but my actions as well. Nissen-What do you consider important factors in the group decision making process? Conflict and still feel that way. THe more experience and learning that I do, conflict is important in the process, and some of the best decisions is hotly debated and considering all stakeholders and imnpact to everyone in the community. Have to look at the full manifestations on those decisions are made. The ability to self-criticize as a group. Jairo-What do you believe are the most important issues facing the community at this time? Affordable housing, safety, good payingjobs, healthcare, affordable childcare, digital inclusion especially in the pandemic and free affordable internet and text support, transportation, emergency management especially climate crisis is a matter of time, social justice, quality of education. I walk almost everyday and a lady asked if I feel safe walking around. I find that very important to feel safe or it’s a problem. Miner-What else would you like to tell us about how and why you would serve the community? How, THe best I can be of myself and be honest of my opinion and experience. Why, because I’m commited to human rights and having fun together. We have to have fun in what we’re doing. Prioritize my family, job, and as a city council person in my commitment and pledge whether I serve here or not. ITEM #4 DELIBERATION & APPOINTMENT City Council Minutes Month XX, 2022 | Page 5 Harden stated that they’ll move forward have no turnout for Dara and to go down the scoring list. Miner-we’ve had 3 great candidates here tonight. Harden Nissen-thanked for coming out tonight Jairo-THanked everyone Dirks stated that Mark Clark has 103, Charles have 99, and Lynnea 111 (Mark – M-26, H-25, N-24, J-28; Charles – M-21, H-24, N-26, J-28; Lynnea – M-28, H-27, N-26, J-30) Nissen move to appoint Lynnea to the City COuncil, Miner second, 4-0 I move to nominate ___to serve on Council Position #5 through December 31, 2022 Second ADJOURNMENT With no further business coming before the Council, the Council adjourned at 7:45 pm. T. Scott Harden MAYOR ATTEST: Seth Reeser CITY RECORDER City Council Minutes Month XX, 2022 | Page 6